A Ticking Workplace Time Bomb – Musculoskeletal Disorders

A Ticking Workplace Time Bomb – Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Regardless of what industry you work in, you are at risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder at some time in your career. There are a number of precautions both you and your employers can take to reduce the risk of injury, both temporary and permanent, but if you are suffering then it is your right to seek advice regarding making a compensation claim against your employer.

Generally musculoskeletal disorders can affect muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body and include degenerative diseases and inflammatory conditions that cause pain and impair your normal, everyday activity. Musculoskeletal disorders can affect many different parts of the body including upper and lower back, neck, shoulders and your extremities such as your arms, legs, feet, and hands. Musculoskeletal disorders can arise from a sudden activity, such as lifting a heavy object, or they can result from you making the same movements repeatedly, leaving you with a repetitive strain injury. Most work-related musculoskeletal disorders develop over time.

Studies have identified that people working in the construction, agriculture, postal and health care industries are the most likely to have a musculoskeletal disorder during their working life; with builders, nurses, care assistants and skilled agricultural workers the most likely to develop a musculoskeletal injury. GPs have identified that heavy lifting, keyboard work and manipulating materials are the main causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders that they see in their clinics.

In 2013/14 the total number of musculoskeletal disorder cases in the UK was 526 000 out of a total 1,241,000 for all work-related illnesses; with the total number of working days lost due to musculoskeletal injuries in 2013/14 a staggering 8.3 million, an average of 15.9 days per case of musculoskeletal injury.

Whether you work at a desk, in a hospital or at a building site, no one is immune to injury. Completing repetitive tasks, even something as simple as using a computer mouse can lead to a painful and long-standing injury, one which may make the everyday task of doing your job more difficult and even painful. If you feel that you have a repetitive strain injury, you should first contact your GP, who will be able to help and advise you and refer you on for further treatment if necessary.

Serious cases of repetitive strain injury and other musculoskeletal disorders can be life changing. You may be injured to such an extent that you are no longer able to do your job, leading to loss of earnings. You may even be so badly injured that you are no longer able to live your life without care and support from others. In cases such as this you are well within your rights to begin industrial disease claims and pursue your employer for compensation for your injuries.

If you have been injured at work or you have a work related disease and you want to know whether you have a claim, then please call Justine or Geraint at GO- Law on 01625 523 838 or email us on gowen@go-law.co.ukPlease contact us today for a free consultation.